Cowboys to visit Lobos Monday

NMHU men’s basketball will get a little statewide exposure Monday as head coach Joe Harge’s Cowboys take on the University of New Mexico Lobos in The Pit.

An exhibition game that serves as the final tune-up before the regular season for both sides, Monday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m.

Tickets ($17 and up) are available at the UNM box office.

Many names familiar to Lobo fans are expected to play. Cameron Bairstow, Demetrius Walker, Kendall Williams, Tony Snell and Hugh Greenwood started UNM’s 105-64 exhibition win over Victory University on Halloween night. Bairstow and Walker scored 22 apiece to lead the Lobos.

UNM went 28-7 and won both regular-season and tournament titles in the Mountain West last year. The team ranked in the top 25 and lost to Louisville in the third round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Highlands has a number of newcomers on the roster who have thus far produced good results. Forward Roland Fitch had 22 points and 12 boards to lead the team past Westminster 89-85 on Oct. 26.

Lavell McDade (21) and Mannie Cass (18) also scored in doubles.

Erick Vega (19), Fitch (15) and Stuart Sullivan (15) paced Highlands in a 97-63 romp over Virginia-Lynchburg two days later.

NMHU switches to regular-season mode on Friday, visiting Lubbock Christian in Texas.

The Lobos open their regular season with a nationally televised game against Davidson at midnight on Monday, Nov. 12.